Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0340

Escherichia coli strain FWSEC0340 is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium characterized by its facultative anaerobic metabolism, allowing it to thrive in both aerobic and anaerobic environments. This strain is motile, possessing flagella, and typically exists in pairs or as single cells. It has a mesophilic growth range, with an optimal temperature of 37°C, making it well-suited to the warm-blooded hosts it often associates with. FWSEC0340 is notably free-living, yet it has a wide array of potential hosts, including Homo sapiens (humans), various livestock such as Bos taurus (cattle) and Gallus gallus (chickens), as well as several other animal species and even plants like Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Brassica oleracea var. italica (broccoli). This diverse host range highlights its ecological versatility and adaptability. In terms of health implications, FWSEC0340 is associated with various significant health issues in humans and animals, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), gastrointestinal infections, and more severe conditions such as neonatal meningitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). These pathogenic effects underscore the strain's relevance in public health and veterinary medicine, marking it as a critical organism of interest for both clinical microbiology and epidemiology. The presence of FWSEC0340 in diverse hosts suggests a complex interplay between humans, animals, and the environment, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and understanding such pathogens in preventing disease transmission and ensuring food safety.